Statutory guidance

Directions under s.123(2A) of the Patents Act 1977

Published 31 March 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forms-directions-under-the-patents-act/directions-under-s1232a-of-the-patents-act-1977

Changes to the patents forms to align with the One IPO digital service

1. The comptroller has made these Directions under section 123(2A) of the Patents Act 1977.

2. These Directions set out changes to the below Patents Forms whose use is required by rules.

3. These Directions come into force on 1 April 2026.

4. The following forms are set out in the Schedule to these Directions and are forms which are required by the Patents Rules 2007 (SI 2007/3291) as amended.

  • Patents Forms 1, 7, 9A and 10 (Apply for a patent, search, and examination, and add inventors)
  • Patents Form 3 (Submit a late claim for priority)
  • Patents form 8 (Request for a certificate authorising the release of a sample of biological material)
  • Patents Form 8A (Notice of the intention to restrict the availability of samples of biological material to experts)
  • Patents Form 12 (Renew patents)
  • Patents Form 14 (Request to reinstate application)
  • Patents Form 16 (Request to restore a patent)
  • Patents Form 20 (Correct or update a name or address relating to a patent or patent application)
  • Patents Form 21 (Record transfer of ownership; add, change or remove licensee or security interest)
  • Patents Form 23 (Request a certified copy)
  • Patents Form 23 (Request an uncertified copy)
  • Patents Form 28 (Apply to show licenses of right are available)
  • Patents Form 30 (Cancel a licence of right)
  • Patents Form 34 (Pay grant fees for patent application)
  • Patents Form 49 (Request to be informed of future events relating to a patent application or patent)
  • Patents Form 51 (Change representation)
  • Patents Form 52 (Request to extend a prescribed time limit)
  • Patents Form 54 (Filing a translation in connection with a European patent or a European patent application)
  • Patents Form SP1 (Application for grant of a Supplementary Protection Certificate)
  • Patents Form SP2 (Payment of annual fees (and additional fee for late payment))
  • Patents Form SP3 (Application for declaration of lapse or invalidity, or to revoke an extension of the duration of a Supplementary Protection Certificate)
  • Patents Form SP4 (Application for grant of an extension to a Supplementary Protection Certificate)
  • Patents Form SP5 (Notification under the Supplementary Protection Certificate ‘manufacturing waiver’)
  • Patents Form SP6 (Notification of marketing authorisation(s) granted after submission of an application for a Supplementary Protection Certificate)

5. These forms, as so set out, replace the corresponding forms in the Schedule to the Directions made on 25 April 2023 (which came into force on 26 April 2023). The Directions made on 25 April 2023 are, to that extent, revoked.

Simon Haikney
Acting on behalf of the Comptroller
27 March 2026

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